A Human Resources official in the Eastern Cape’s Health Department has told the East London Commercial Crimes Court that fraud-accused Sizwe Kupelo did not meet the minimum requirements for the position of Deputy Director for Communications, which he currently occupies.

Nontuthuzelo Khumalo further told the court that his appointment was irregular, as he did not have a degree. She told the court that she raised the issue of Kupelo’s irregular appointment with her supervisor, but was told to go ahead with approving his appointment.

She added that she picked up that the date of birth on his matric certificate did not correlate with the one on his identity document. She also confirmed that Kupelo had submitted a matric certificate.

“He did submit a matric certificate. l saw it as well as his documents, that’s why l went to my supervisor and informed him that this candidate does not meet the requirements because it states that it requires a degree or a diploma and he only has grade 12.”

NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali is confident that they have a strong case against Kupelo.

“The certificate that was submitted did not belong to him. Even his defence admitted that he doesn’t have a matric certificate. Our witnesses were to say that employment processes were flouted.”

The matter has been postponed to the 29th of October, when a ruling is expected on the admissibility of an affidavit of a deceased witness.